Bayview Hunters Point residents
want moratorium on shipyard work

By Emmett Berg

June 6, 2007

Redevelopment at Hunters Point shipyard has become a sickening reality for some Bayview Hunters Point residents because of reported respiratory problems, even from formerly healthy youth and adults, speakers told the Board of Supervisors yesterday.

Members of the Bayview Hunters Point community packed the Board of Supervisors chambers, where people spoke one-by-one of health problems that some said were concurrent with excavating and test drilling recently in the former shipyard by developer Lennar Corp.

Asthma and bleeding noses were becoming everyday ailments even for children who only go to school in the area, some said. Several dozen speakers in all gave a unified view, from religious leaders to youth and young adults.

Several said they were indignant that official city business occurring that day would concern the Telegraph Hill parrots, but the effects of construction activity they said were triggering health problems now were going un-addressed.

"We haven't had anybody anywhere do any kind of testing," challenged Len Brown, a Bayview resident. "Everybody's aware there's an epidemic out there in Bayview Hunters Point.

Representatives of the Department of Health or Miami-based Lennar Corp. did not speak publicly following the testimony.

A Board of Supervisors hearing on the issues would come at the end of June, Supervisor Sophie Maxwell said in an interview. Despite a malfunction, testing to help ensure safety during the preconstruction tests was continuing, the supervisor said.

Maxwell's district includes the former shipyard, which operated for more than 100 years starting in 1870 and saw a peak during World War II, a legacy that left behind extensive toxic waste.

Linking health effects to Lennar's construction activity was uncertain, given that the Hunters Point community ranks as the city leader in rates of asthma, cancer and heart attacks, Maxwell said.

"These problems have been going on for years," Maxwell said. "Still these people have a legitimate beef. The Department of Public Health has to answer to them. It's up to them to protect the health and safety of city residents."

Copyright © 2007 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

####